chroma-core/chroma · error · ChromaValueError

This operation requires an embedding function, which is not

Error message

This operation requires an embedding function, which is not available on a collection obtained via client.collection(id). Provide pre-computed embeddings directly, or use client.getCollection() to get a full collection with embedding support.

What it means

Error "This operation requires an embedding function, which is not available on a collection obtained via client.collection(id). Provide pre-computed embeddings directly, or use client.getCollection() to get a full collection with embedding support." thrown in chroma-core/chroma.

Source

Thrown at clients/new-js/packages/chromadb/src/collection.ts:1806

      chromaClient,
      apiClient,
      id,
      tenant,
      database,
      name: "",
      configuration: {},
    });
  }

  public override async add(args: {
    ids: string[];
    embeddings?: number[][];
    metadatas?: Metadata[];
    documents?: string[];
    uris?: string[];
  }): Promise<void> {
    if (!args.embeddings) {
      throw new ChromaValueError(HANDLE_EMBEDDING_ERROR);
    }
    return super.add(args);
  }

  public override async update(args: {
    ids: string[];
    embeddings?: number[][];
    metadatas?: Metadata[];
    documents?: string[];
    uris?: string[];
  }): Promise<void> {
    if (!args.embeddings && args.documents) {
      throw new ChromaValueError(HANDLE_EMBEDDING_ERROR);
    }
    return super.update(args);
  }

  public override async upsert(args: {

View on GitHub (pinned to aecdd12c8a)

When it happens

Trigger: Thrown at clients/new-js/packages/chromadb/src/collection.ts:1806 when the library encounters an invalid state.

Common situations: See trigger scenarios.

AI-assisted analysis of chroma-core/chroma@aecdd12c8a (2026-08-16). Data as JSON: /api/errors/df9554b6c5b072f1. Report an issue: GitHub.